*********OFFICIAL January 2015 Thread - COME CHECK IN!!! ***************

[blossom64]

Okay I booked Paradise Pier with the new offer yesterday. A theme view room from January 31-February 4th.
Got an email from Orbitz today and so am canceling the DL booking and going with the same room with Orbitz. Saved me $175.

orbitz saved me $138 - so happy to get extra $$$ to spend elsewhere

 

[mt mommy]

Add us to the January list! We will be there Jan.27-Feb.1. GCH@!!

So, so, sad about Soarin' refurb!! But RSR is our favorite! WAHOO!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Add us to the January list! We will be there Jan.27-Feb.1. GCH@!!

So, so, sad about Soarin' refurb!! But RSR is our favorite! WAHOO!

Hey! We're at GCH hotel at the same time! I'm so pumped! We stayed at DLH for our first trip earlier this year. We enjoyed it but once we saw the GCH we were convinced we needed to stay theeeeere. Location. Ambiance. We neeeeed to stay there!



I feel for everyone's disappointments with the refurb schedule. Our first DL trip was at the end of April / beginning of May. The refurb list then was crazy long. We didn't have Indy, IASW, Nemo subs, Alice, Mermaid, and many more. We had PotC open for just 1 day of 7. I remember the day we arrived we were laying on the bed at DLH watching the resort tv and hubby kept seeing attractions that interested him. It seemed like every attraction he got excited about I said, "Yeah, but it's down for refurb." After a while he looked at me completely aggravated and said, "What the heck did we even come here for? Is anything open?!" Seriously, the refurb list for January as it sits to me isn't bad but all I have to compare it to was last spring. Even if every attraction on the list regardless of the dates/days for the month was closed while we are there I still think it's less closures then we had in the spring. Seriously.

I know not everyone can manage to go twice in a year (we're kinda pushing this one in spite of all the reasons not to because we want to use our APs one more time). I don't want to sound bad or like I lack empathy. I feel for anyone who thinks they'll be disappointed. We're actually feeling good with the refurb list because the things that are scheduled to be closed are things we were able to do last trip. Thusly, (<--is that a word?) a lot of stuff we were bummed to miss out on in the spring are going to be open. Either way, I want to slow down and do more taking in of the atmosphere this time. It's not about any one thing to do. I'm more excited just to be there.

I managed to land in the MK/WDW for a single day last month. Up until the day I went with my girlfriends for that day I dreaded it. Every time I'm there the crowds irritate me, lines seem long, and I get all stressed trying to navigate the herds. Going with my friends was different. They did all the FP+ stuff and all the planning what little they did. We'd all been there a bazillion times so there were very few must-dos among us. The first hour in the park we meandered thru shops on Main Street, took fun pictures, laughed, and simply enjoyed being there. Nothing to hurry around for. No stress. Just relaxing and soaking it in. That was the rhythm of the entire day. Started out rainy. Ended up sunny. It was just such a departure from parks with my family when I'm the one leading everyone around. I stress myself to make sure they do as much as possible. Who knew that doing so little was so wonderful? So, for our upcoming DL trip, even though it's my brother's first trip out west & he'll be expecting me to be the all-knowing (I'm NOT!), my biggest goal is to keep it casual with no stress.

Try not to worry too much on that refurb list. The sore you feel when you walk by a favorite attraction that's not open won't last but a fleeting second because you'll be on your way to something else wonderful. Right? That's always been our experience in all the years of Disney parks touring.

 

[wdwfan22]

I may have missed something -- I only looked at the first page of the thread and skimmed the last couple of pages -- but where did the info come from to say that Haunted Mansion would be closed from 01/12/15 - 01/22/15? I'm talking about official Disney sources -- not fellow (unofficial) Disneyland discussion boards/fan sites like Mouse Planet or MiceChat.

I'm just wondering if I missed a new development somewhere along the line (as I have been busy with my Halloween and Holiday/Christmas threads).

I ask because the holiday season ends after 1/6/15, and Haunted Mansion Holiday usually closes right after the last day of the season, so that it can get de-holiday-ized in time to reopen by mid-month-ish (at which point It's a Small World Holiday then closes).

In this Disney Parks Blog from August, Pam Brandon says, "There’s plenty of time to take it all in – Haunted Mansion Holiday goes through January 6, 2015."
Is HMH now staying open through Sunday, 1/11/15?

I was confused by that date for the HM refurb also. It was reported by MP. I really haven't looked at them in the past for refurbs, but they seem to know many farther out than I have seen. In their post they talk about getting the dates from some Disney refurb public hotline. So it seems like an official source, but IDK.

That was last week, this week they reported that Disney had taken info off for 2015 from their recording. So who knows? I never really bothered with worrying about what will be down when I'm there. It's always just been a small number of rides, and I expect it and it won't bother me. I'm just worried this year because it seems like they're going to refurb about everything before the 60th party starts.

 

[Sherry E]

I was confused by that date for the HM refurb also. It was reported by MP. I really haven't looked at them in the past for refurbs, but they seem to know many farther out than I have seen. In their post they talk about getting the dates from some Disney refurb public hotline. So it seems like an official source, but IDK.

That was last week, this week they reported that Disney had taken info off for 2015 from their recording. So who knows? I never really bothered with worrying about what will be down when I'm there. It's always just been a small number of rides, and I expect it and it won't bother me. I'm just worried this year because it seems like they're going to refurb about everything before the 60th party starts.

Maybe, for some reason, DLR decided to keep HMH open through Sunday, 1/11 this year (long after that Parks Blog was published in which Pam Brandon pegged 1/6/15 as the HMH end date). I'm not sure why they would do that, but who knows? If it's on their refurb hotline there could be some validity to it -- although, given the kooky way they have been updating their calendar on the DLR website lately (filling in some key info but not other key info), the HMH closure info could be askew as well.

 

[travelbug08]

orbitz saved me $138 - so happy to get extra $$$ to spend elsewhere

I've never used Orbitz before and I don't understand why my dates are showing two price options for both standard and premium views and the cheaper premium is less than the more expensive standard view. Any ideas? What are the abbreviations PSTD and PPRM that they use? I assumed the cheaper might be accessible rooms, but it doesn't mention that.

 

[blossom64]

Not sure didn't see those abbreviations but I booked GCH a basic courtyard woods view - there are listings where you can get the orbitz reward (orbucks) maybe that's the two prices. I used the orbitz promo code review15 to get an additional 15% off the reduced late winter offer they are promoting right now instead of using the orbucks

 

[wdwfan22]

Maybe, for some reason, DLR decided to keep HMH open through Sunday, 1/11 this year (long after that Parks Blog was published in which Pam Brandon pegged 1/6/15 as the HMH end date). I'm not sure why they would do that, but who knows? If it's on their refurb hotline there could be some validity to it -- although, given the kooky way they have been updating their calendar on the DLR website lately (filling in some key info but not other key info), the HMH closure info could be askew as well.

It seems to me that all of their upcoming refurb info is kooky. I don't know that we will know the actual dates until the last minute. And then it might even change. Like the Boudin Bakery Tour refurb was supposed to start a few days ago and didn't. I think they are flying by the seat of their pants. I guess we will just go and what's open is open, and what's closed is closed. Makes me sad, cuz my daughter hasn't been there since she was little, and doesn't remember much, and it's always fun to look forward to specific rides. But I'm not sure we will be able to do that.

I know we will have a great time, it's just that the anticipation is half the fun for us, and I just don't know what to anticipate!

 

[204charity]

WELCOME, WELCOME EVERYONE!!!! Sorry I have not been on the boards the last couple of days, our DD has been very sick with Strep Throat, and then we had to get everything all organized for Halloween! Now that's done and we can focus on the most important thing of life - planning our Disney Vacation!!! I am so excited to see that Orbitz has released there Jan rooms, and now and hoping we can get a refund through our TA for our other booking at PPH, because we can stay in a theme park view premium room at the DLH for the exact same price as a standard at the PPH! Fingers crossed everyone!!!

Just wanted to quickly address the refurb list I have posted on page one, it is a RUMORED list, nothing is officially confirmed, once it is confirmed I will edit and will post an update telling all you to look at the new list. Sorry for the confusion etc.

I for one, could care less about the refurbs, things are always closed at the parks, no matter when you go, you are bound to have at least something on your list unavailable. This will just give us that much more time to enjoy things at a leisurely pace and even have some time to actually enjoy our hotel and it's pool!!!

You have to remember to look at the silver lining!!!! There's one on every cloud!!!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Getting excited! Trying to plan a few holiday presents to coordinate with our January trip. On the hunt for some new hoodies.

 

[204charity]

Well, saw the new rates on Orbitz, so we can cancelled our original reservation for a standar view room at PPR and booked a Premium View Room at the DLH instead!!!!! (I'm hoping that means theme park view!!!) soooo excited!!!

 

[travelbug08]

Count us in for getting in on the Orbitz offers! We are now staying at the DLH!

 

[hipporina]

I'm getting so excited about our trip! We are going for the Star Wars races and taking 2 of our boys with us (can't afford to take the whole crew this time.) DH and I are running the Rebel Challenge, our 14 yo Joshua is running the half, and our 2 yo Jude is running the kids' race. My youngest sister and her dh are also coming and will babysit for us while we run. We will be there 15th-20th and are staying at BW Park Place.

I was so disappointed when I saw the refurb list. The last time we went to DLR, they were still building the WoC, and I have really been looking forward to that. Haunted Mansion was closed that trip too, so I haven't seen DL's version. I'm hoping they will change the dates.

 

[roflclaw]

We cancelled our hotel reservation with the disney site for the orbitz deal, we're saving about $275! Same room as far as I can tell through the orbitz site (it's not very descriptive) and that's fine. I just like saving the money lol

I was going to redo the hotel with the new January deal through the disney site because it was better than my 10% off but through orbitz saves us ~100 more than that so hooray for saving money! Gives me more to spend on food, and will pay for our photopass lol

 

[204charity]

Do you think a "Premium View" room on Orbitz means Theme Park View? I'm excited now!!! Can't wait!!!!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Count us in the resort changers group! We also decided to change our dates to the 8-13th, staying at DLH!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I spotted our room last week on Orbitz for about $150 less but I didn't switch. I book all our Disney travel through my friend who is a TA. I wouldn't NOT book thru her just because. I have no idea why I even look at other websites. It's not like I would change my booking. LOL!

Totally jazzed about changing our arrival flight this morning. DH has been keeping an eagle-eye on the SW flights and caught the earlier arrival for $99 early this morning. He scared the bejeezus out of me calling me at 6:30 this morning, waking me up, and being all super-serious on the phone, "Wake up. Listen to me. Concentrate. Get focused...." I thought something bad had happened. LOL! Yay for arriving over an hour earlier even if we have to get up at zero o'clock to do it!

Also, been spending time with lounge menus. This is a grown-ups trip! I'm thinking drinks & appetizer munching. Trader Sam's is a gimme. Hearthstone, Napa Rose, The Cove, Carthay Circle...then there's DtD's options! Sooooo many!

 

[moose615]

Hi to everyone! We will be traveling to DL for the first time for Star Wars Half weekend, super excited! It is a bummer about the refurb schedule, does seems like they would wait till after a busy weekend but still plenty to ride and see. Have been looking at dining so def looking forward to some of the places to eat as well.
Dates Jan 14-19th GCH

 

[Piglet99645]

Considering booking to be in the parks January 1-3.

How bad, really, should I expect crowds to be? My Annual pass isn't good until January 1 after the holidays...... does that mean things settle down?

I was last there on NYDay in 1993. I remember it was a zoo. But I didn't have kids with me.

We usually go off-season, like mid-FEbruary, but too many favorite rides are closed the week we usually go.

Thoughts?

Thanks all!!!!

P.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Looks like some of the Us January DISers are starting to make dining plans! Please share your plans!

We have a few more days until we can plan. I wonder if they will have the character weekends from years past. Those events were always such fun!